UPDATED: David Letterman’s Late Showwriters go back to work tomorrow. An insider tells me, “Believe me, we understand this is the beginning of a real opportunity to call attention to what has had almost no television coverage in the last two months. So, it’s pretty simple. Get the message out, be hysterically funny in the execution, and in so doing, embarrass the AMPTP into full capitulation no later than January 7th. Okay, the 8th.”

Previous: There’s no doubt now that the writers strike will be Topic A when David Letterman returns to The Late Show. Not just because his writers will be with him. (“You better believe we’re going to bring attention to the strike as long as it lasts,” Justin Stangel, head writer along with his brother Eric, said on LateShowWritersOnStrike.com which will continue.) But because Robin Williams will be the first guest. I, for one, can’t wait to see the film comedian spoof the Hollywood moguls. Thursday will spotlight comedian Bill Maher, who’ll also dump on the Big Media CEOs, I bet. Donald Trump, who’d been previously booked, has now been relegated to Friday’s Late Show. Also, Howard Stern has repeatedly said that he would be one of Dave’s first guests when Letterman went back to work.

Mike Huckabee will be Leno’s first guest on the eve of the Iowa caucuses, even though the GOP presidential frontrunner is the only Republican in the race courting union endorsements. This summer, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers backed Huckabee because the former governor of Arkansas was the only Republican to address the labor group at its national conference. The union praised Huckabee for “trying to figure out where and how we might work together.” Yet here he is eager to cross the WGA’s picket line, which will be beefed up outside NBC tomorrow by striking writers. Anyway, it’s likely that bookings on both shows will change day to day as more guests become available, and unavailable, during the strike.

27 Comments

Proud WGA member • on Dec 31, 2007 12:56 pm

I say huzzah for my hometown boy made good RW for doing this. He is always entertaining in his talk show appearances and will represent a much bigger draw than the Donald. Talk about a mouthpiece for the cause. Tell it like it is, Robin.

• on Dec 31, 2007 1:21 pm

This is the first news I’ve seen in weeks that has made me go “HELL YES”. Go Robin! Now, at least, I’m pretty damn sure David will be using his show, if nothing else, to spread word of this shit.

warrior ant press • on Dec 31, 2007 1:30 pm

The Huckster is a scab. “Faith.Family.Freedom.” That’s his campaign slogan. Jesus loves everyone, except the union rank-and-file? After New Hampshire, he’ll become a canker to the Republicans and disappear without residuals into YouTube reruns.

• on Dec 31, 2007 1:40 pm

Why is Jay even trying to compete in booking guests? It´s one thing to say, Ï have to go back so I don´t have to keep paying my staff out of pocket. Fine. It´s another all together to say I´m going to try to win or do more than the minimum i.e. making new shows for NBC so the staff gets paid.

If I hear any stars saying Jay or Conan´s staff is begging or lobbying them to cross the picket line when they were reluctant, I´ll consider it a stab in the back.

jake Hollywood • on Dec 31, 2007 1:45 pm

Ahhhhh…but the question still remains whether or not, if anybody will care one way or the other in a few weeks. As the strike presses on will Letterman and Ferguson continue talking about the strike, and if they do, will audiences get bored (like they did with talk about the war in Iraq) and turn to Leno, et al as a diversion?

TV watchers have ADD when it comes to limiting topics–such as the WGA strike. They tend to want to see “stars” being stars and promoting themselves or their latest gig. So he question then becomes, will they [audiences] keep watching late night TV if it focuses on the issues of the WGA strike or will they go with the no-offensiveness of Leno and his Hollywood connections?

I’m guessing ADD wins out.

NO LENO, NO CONAN, NO DAILY SHOW • on Dec 31, 2007 2:10 pm

These are some B-C list bookings – the unctuous Trump, Bill Maher [yuck]

Letterman should try to book top talent during this key time frame

Robin Williams is always fun and will have great spoofs, although he’s become old and not as consequential

Marj • on Dec 31, 2007 2:18 pm

Anybody who’d like to ask Huckabee to repect WGA picket lines (or not, if that’s what you want) can write to his organization at:

Just my opinion, but Huckabee is no fool. I believe this is a calculated decision to show that he won’t buckle to the “special interest” groups. He knows he will take heat for it, but honestly how many votes from the WGA is he really risking? Plus, I think anyone who agrees with his political positions would be hard pressed to vote for the other candidate just because Huckabee decided to go on Leno. Make no mistake, Huckabee is not a scab, he’s not part of the WGA or SAG or any union. He’s a person who’s trying to up his exposure and this will certainly do that for him. High reward, low risk move. This will not harm him a bit in the primary, and if he gets the nomination no one will even remember this outside of the WGA.

John • on Dec 31, 2007 3:25 pm

C’mon guys, give Huckabee a break. If auto line workers were striking against GM or Ford right now, and a writer was writing a commercial for them, would an auto line worker be justified in being upset at the WGA writer for “crossing”? And would you HONESTLY respect the “line” and not write the commercial? I’d bet all the nickels in my pocket most of us would “cross” because it’s a different industry. Huckabee’s not in the entertainment industry, and may still provide a voice for our cause the way Edwards did recently.

I’m guessing there’s still time for them to withdraw their endorsement if they saw a good reason, like say- oh I don’t know…their candidate crossing a picket line?!

Please be courtious.

A Writer

Jimmy • on Dec 31, 2007 5:05 pm

I’d say advantage Dave at least in terms of first guests. Mike Huckabee is a complete bore and this comes from someone who lives right next door his home state of Arkansas. I mean, did GE pick Jay’s first guest?

Some Guy • on Dec 31, 2007 5:09 pm

“As the strike presses on will Letterman and Ferguson continue talking about the strike, and if they do, will audiences get bored (like they did with talk about the war in Iraq) and turn to Leno, et al as a diversion?”

Dave’s a pro. What sets Dave apart from Jay (aside from talent) is that Dave actually comes out of broadcasting. He knows how to deliver a message and keep a message interesting, as opposed to living from joke to joke.

If there is anybody who is *the* right guy to pull this off, it’s Dave and nobody else.

Do We Need Age-Bashing Now, Too? • on Dec 31, 2007 5:57 pm

Hey, NO LENO etc.

If you’re fortunate you, too, will one day be ‘old’. When that time comes and you’re cavalierly dismissed as being inconsequential I hope you’ll remember this insightful post of yours.

Unindicted Co-conspirator • on Dec 31, 2007 7:15 pm

Huckabee couldn’t care less whether he gets good or bad PR.
This is a guy who doesn’t believe in evolution.
I’m sure that Leno will kiddingly ask one softball about that & then go on with lots more softballs.
Jay will get big ratings in Jesusland, but for once, Dave should win the night.

sidelinedactor • on Dec 31, 2007 7:46 pm

Thank you Marj for posting where we are able to write to Mr. Huckabee. As an actor sitting on the sidelines waiting, hopefully, for his show to return I will be dropping a note to Mr. Huckabee and his staff relating my disappointment in his decision to cross what seem to him to be very important union lines.

Happy New Year everyone!!!!!

mark Groubert • on Dec 31, 2007 11:27 pm

Be advised strikers at Burbank/NBC: When Huckabee shows up he will have complete secret service protection and probably a police escort from Burbank Airport. I am sure he will not be afraid to cut a swath right through the righteous picket lines into scab central. Be careful, this is a man (Huckabee) who believes cavemen rode on dinosaurs. It could get ugly real quick over there Wed nite. Lawyers should be present with plenty of video cameras to record arrests if they occur. The booking of Huckabee is an in your face by Jay and GE as they know he is “untouchable” in literal and physical terms. A regular show biz guest would not have police and secret service. Brilliant on GE’s part!

Occasional Showrunner • on Dec 31, 2007 11:38 pm

There was no freaking way I was going to vote for Huckabee anyway. But I would vote for Robin Williams.

David G. • on Jan 1, 2008 4:26 am

Jay is going the political route with the moron Huckabee? Shows that he’s already tossing in the towel… The choice between Robin Williams and Huckleschmuck? It’s not a contest. Welcome back Dave. Boo on the rest of you who claim you’re just coming back to save other peoples jobs. What a bullshit excuse. You’re doing it on the back of your writers, which shows you care more for others, than your own WGA union. David G.

applesandoranges • on Jan 1, 2008 5:21 pm

A Writer, I agree that these guests are weak, and Letterman can and should be doing much better. Hopefully, A-listers who usually dodge him because they prefer Leno’s fawning will step up and it will be easier to book than usual. But, um, do you think 18-35 year old males are just dying to watch some creepy politician?

Any information on who else Leno has this week? We should be trying to put pressure on them instead. Huckabee’s pointless, he’s looking for votes from people who think unions are a Satanic plot like the whole round Earth thing, crossing only helps him among his constituency.

What about Colbert and Stewart? Will they be going wall-to-wall with politicians who are against us? Any word on who they’ve been talking to?

NO LENO, NO CONAN, NO DAILY SHOW • on Jan 1, 2008 7:33 pm

HEY, “Do We Need Age-Bashing Now, Too? ”

Your comment is hyper-defensive, ignorant, and tedious. It is not an issue of “age-bashing.” You clearly have age issues because you are personalizing what is a business reality.

Ever hear of something called “demographics” ?? It is THE force that drives all business decisions in the industry.

The entire business is based upon and has always been based upon reaching what the congloms see as the youth market (incidentally, I am older than their target age group, so your ignorance deepens.)

So, stop being so defensive, take some Geritol, get some Botox, just relax and stop making every single point a hysterical debate. If you don’t like age discrimination in Hollywood, write the CEO’s as they do all the hiring.

P.S. “A Writer” @ 4:33 pm echoes this reality (although Huckabee is 52 years old and equally old as the other guests, so Leno will be at the back of the line):

Maybe they remember who Williams has become (Jonathan Winters,) but I doubt it.

Leno wins, just by showing up.

Comment by A Writer — December 31, 2007 @ 4:33 pm”

Nepotist • on Jan 2, 2008 3:53 am

If Jay does a monologue count the jokes. That’s how many scabbers he’s using.

I’m guessing Huck will be the funniest thing on the show.

Do We Need Age-Bashing Now, Too? • on Jan 2, 2008 11:12 am

Hey NO LENO etc.

Feel better getting that all out of your system?

Incidentally, I’m 28. Was just doing the ‘Respect Your Elders’ thing. But you wouldn’t know about that.

Hope everyone tunes in to Letterman tonight. Ancient though he may be, I’m guessing Robin Williams will be entertaining and on-target across demographic lines as always.

Oh, and actually, it’s greed and avarice that drives business decisions in this country, especially with regards to AMPTP. Chasing demographics is just a means to that end, not the end itself. Just saying…